Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $81
- Cash Discount Price: $89
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.94x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $13.63 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 594% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 494%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $12 - $81 | 88% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $44 - $53 | 323% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $46 | 337% |
| Aetna | $46 - $81 | 337% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $81 | 594% |
| Cigna | $81 | 594% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $81 | 594% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82728, representing a blood test for ferritin (iron stores), the cash price at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Fredonia, KS, is $89.00. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average for this service, which is $5.90. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $12 to $81, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $89.00 cash price directly, as this avoids the administrative fees and higher negotiated rates that insurers apply. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill.
It is important to understand that commercial insurance rates are not always the lowest option available. In this case, the facility's cash rate is lower than the negotiated rates paid by many major payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Reserve National. Furthermore, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $13.63, which serves as a critical baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. Since the cash price of $89.00 is substantially higher than the Medicare rate, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and deductible status before proceeding. If you receive a bill that includes charges beyond the negotiated or cash rate, you may be subject to balance billing, though the No Surprises Act protects you from such unexpected costs for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always request a full itemized bill to ensure no errors or